Crop-Livestock Linkages in Watersheds of Andhra Pradesh: Global Theme on Agroecosystems Report no. 29

There are a number of studies that have looked at the impact of watershed programs on rural livelihoods with a focus on crops and related activities but few have considered the importance of livestock. This study focuses on the crop-livestock linkages in dryland villages under watershed programs and concentrates on the impact of watershed interventions on crop-livestock linkages and the implication to rural livelihoods. For this study, baseline data collected from six watershed villages in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India under the Andhra Pradesh Rural Livelihoods Programme (APRLP) were analyzed with a focus on livestock production systems, size and composition of livestock holdings, milk production and marketing, and the availability and utilization of feed within the context of the socioeconomic, agroclimatic and agricultural backdrop of the villages. The impact of a watershed program on the crop-livestock system was studied by selecting two villages with the same agroclimatic conditions: one with a watershed intervention and the other without any intervention. The findings indicate that the bovine sector is more advanced in the watershed village compared to the control village with a shift in composition from work or draft animals to milch animals. Total increase in milk production in the watershed village is attributed to household level improvements in productivity, as a result of a better feeding regime. On a dry matter basis the quantity of fodder fed per adult livestock unit was 65–70% higher in the watershed village compared to the control village. In addition there was a dramatic increase in the quantity of greens fed which substituted for the use of concentrate feed usually composed of agro-industrial by-products. Conclusions indicate that the higher production of green biomass could be attributed to more intensive cropping resulting from improved moisture budgeting in the soils following the watershed intervention. Finally, the report suggests a few simple indicators that can be easily used to measure the impact of watershed programs on rural livelihoods with particular reference to crop-livestock linkages

Village Based Seed Banks in Andhra Pradesh - a Case Study

The great majorities of the world's food crops are annual species for which see be sown each season to establish a new crop. Consequently, seeds are the fundal biological component of agricultural production. Agriculture in India is over years old. Farmers have been breed ing, selecting and collecting enough seeds, al years to meet their requirement. The very survival of Indian agriculture for centl a testimony to the sound wisdom on seed production and storage being nurtu the agrarian community. These systems have been variously called a farmer-m;; seed system (Bal and Douglas, 1992); Informal seed system (Cromwell et al traditional seed system and local seed system (Alniekinders et aI., 1994). But, c{ rising population increased pressure on food grain production, is a great task bef( agricultural scientists to achieve. In order to achieve the projected demand, qualit of improved cultivars is the pre-requisite. Improved seed is a catalyst for makin! inputs cost-effective. In spite of many efforts, seed supply particularly of food grair is a serious concern till today..............

Multiple actor orientation: a case study of groundnut in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh

As part of a three-year project focusing on improving the livelihoods of poor livestock keepers by improving the availability of fodder, new groundnut varieties were tested, incorporating participatory rural appraisal (PRA), rapid rural appraisal (RRA), focus group discussions (FGDs) and field days as learning platforms. These approaches had limitations in addressing the complexity of the groundnut farming system and therefore constraints to the uptake of improved varieties continued to elude solution. The potential of a multi-stakeholder approach to gain a broader view of how novelty and innovation occur in a farming system was then recognized. Interactions among a range of actors including, among others, traders, oilseed merchants and private seed companies, were facilitated within a process of action and reflective learning. As a result, new constraints to innovation in groundnut varieties were identified and ways of overcoming them were noted. Documentation and analysis of the type and quality of linkages between the actors in the system helped to catalogue the process, and the platform thus created provided the actors with an opportunity to learn from each other. The lessons and implications are discussed

Participatory Varietal Selection to Multiple Actor Orientation–Case study of groundnut in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh

As part of a 3-year project focusing on improving the livelihoods of poor livestock keepers by improving availability of fodder, testing of new groundnut varieties incorporated Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Field Days as platforms of learning. The approaches were limited in attempting to address the complexity of the groundnut system and therefore constraints to uptake of improved varieties continued to be elusive. Evolution of the project approach recognized the potential of multi-stakeholder approaches to take a broader view of how novelty in a system and innovation occur. Interactions between a range of actors including traders, oil-seed merchants, private seed companies, etc. were facilitated and a process of action and reflective learning explored. As a result a new set of constraints and opportunities were identified that prevented innovation related to the use of new groundnut varieties. Documentation and analysis of the type and quality of the linkages between the actors within the system helped to catalogue the process, and the platform created provided the opportunity to learn from each other. Lessons and implications are discusse

Integrated Seed Systems for Sustainable Food, Feed and Fodder Security in Semi-Arid Tropics of India

Seed is the most important input component for productive agriculture. A we I I-functioning seed system is defined as one that uses the appropriate combination of formal, informal, market and non-market channels to efficiently meet farmers 'demand for quality seeds. The fact that a hulk of rural livelihoods are drawn from crop~U\ estock sector and that crop residues are the main stay for animal feeding reflect the importance of crop agriculture not only from food production point of view' but poverty reduction as well A majority of livestock kept by rural households is well integrated into the prevailing crop systems. In low rainfall dry land agriculture areas, food feed cetral, millet and legume crops are the main sources of income and food for farmers besides fodder for their animals. Farmers 'demandfor seeds, particularly' those of poor farmers therefore depend on multiple criteria. Given the critical role that improved varieties play in increasing the conventional crop production, a key question is how to facilitate tin-development of an integrated seed system that is capable of generating, producing and distributing improved seed varieties that meet the needs of resource atui resource-poor farmers in a cost-effecti\ r way The study is an attempt to review and document the existing seed multiplication and delivery systems in four dry land agriculture districts of Andhra Pradesh namely Anantapun Kumool, Mahbubnagar and Nalgonda. Analyzing the problems associated with different seed systems in the Districts, the paper makes a case for alternati\ e seed systems that address the needs and i •uinerabiiities of sttuillfarmers

Seed System Innovations in the Semi-Arid Tropics of Andhra Pradesh

An effective seed supply system is necessary to make good quality seed available to farmers at the right time and at low cost. Given the critical role played by improved varieties in increasing production of grain and quantity and quality of stover for livestock fodder in conventional cropping systems, agriculture decision-makers have the challenge of developing an integrated and cost- effective seed system that is capable of generating and delivering improved seed varieties to farmers. Such a system would be an important step toward ensuring seed security and enhancing livelihoods, particularly of dryland farmers. Issues related to seed multiplication and delivery systems in India are discussed in this publication. The book outlines the development of the seed industry in India and highlights the changes made to seed policies over the years. It records the experience from an attempt to improve the local seed systems in four dryland agricultural districts that are typically representative of the semi-arid areas of Andhra Pradesh state. Using specific seed delivery models, it presents ways of strengthening seed systems to address the needs and vulnerabilities of smallholder farmers including those associated with livestock and fodder security in these areas. This book is not an all-encompassing summary of the seed systems in Andhra Pradesh, nor does it try to provide magical solutions to constraints encountered by poor farmers. It does, however, attempt to illustrate alternative approaches to strengthen the seed systems by employing new approaches aswell as implementing tested approaches in new ways constituting innovation. Given the ever rapid changes taking place in the technological, socioeconomic and policy environments, understanding some of the processes and mechanisms involved in these changes as has been presented in this document will help in continuous development of an appropriate seed system and contribute to enhancing the livelihoods of poor farmers in the semi-arid areas of India.</p